Ribbon campaign launched
By PEGGY ARMSTRONG
LINDSAY POST REPORTER
November 6, 2008

KAWARTHA LAKES -Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) of Kawartha Lakes has launched its annual red ribbon campaign to stop impaired driving and help victims of the preventable crime.

At the official launch Wednesday, campaign chairperson Heather Richardson said the public is being asked to tie a red ribbon in a visible location, for example on their vehicle or a key chain, to show support for the efforts to eliminate driving under the influence of either drugs or alcohol.

Boxes with the ribbons will be in local businesses during the campaign from Nov. 12 until early January.

Richardson said volunteers will also be at Food Basics in Lindsay on Sat. Nov. 29 to bag groceries for donations to MADD.

Acting mayor Gord James was on hand to thank MADD for its efforts in making the city safer. He filled in for Mayor Ric McGee, who was in Toronto for the day.

OPP Staff Sgt. Mike Reynolds noted it was sad that after 27 years in policing, the program is still needed. He said all people need to do is plan ahead before drinking and arrange for a friend or cab to drive them, or stay somewhere, or just not drink when they want to drive.

Insp. Mark Mitchell of the Kawartha Lakes Police Services had some good news. He said a drop has been measured in the number of drunk driving charges in the past few years. "Take heart, your labours are starting to take fruit," he told the MADD representatives.

He also brought attention to the province's announcement in June to double funding for the RIDE campaigns. The result is that Kawartha Lakes will receive $13,000 for the campaign and be able to extend it throughout the year. Previously, it ran only over the Christmas season.

The city also has one officer trained to recognize drug impaired driving and Mitchell said plans are underway to train two more officers.

MADD chapter president Carol Ryan unveiled the trailer for the new video that will be shown to students in Grades 7 to 12. Titled "DOA," it has a hard-hitting message of the consequences of thinking it's okay to smoke dope, drink and drive. It also includes a segment by Robb Nash, lead singer of the Canadian rock band Live on Arrival, talking about his near-death experience as the victim of a drunk driving accident.

Ryan has been active in MADD since her husband, a police officer, was killed by a drunk driver six years ago. She said when MADD videos are screened at schools "you can hear a pin drop".

After the launch, Ryan said, "I wish people would listen. It's so simple."